Table of contents for Feburary 2026 in Model Rail

www.facebook.com/modelrail www.twitter.com/modelrailuk www.instagram.com/modelrailmag I write this in early January after a welcome festive break. The end of the year is always a busy time at MR, particularly so in 2025 with a huge influx of new models arriving for review, along with samples of our own exclusive projects (see page 8). Amidst the hubbub, I greatly enjoyed a visit to Manchester MRS’ Centenary Exhibition in mid-December, which featured a superb array of layouts, spread across two large halls in a comfortable modern venue only a short walk from Piccadilly station. I do love a good city-centre exhibition that’s easy to get to on public transport. Judging by the healthy crowd numbers, I’m not alone in that! As well as enjoying the layouts, it was great to catch up with many…

Further progress has also been made on Model Rail’s exclusive BR ‘Flatrol MJ’ atomic flask-carrying wagons. As revealed in MR344, the first decorated samples had arrived for checking, but we’ve now received the rest of the ten planned versions, which are split between the as-built six-axle version and the later rebuilt four-axle wagons. Each model features slightly different markings, based on photographs of the real wagons, with the shift from XKV/XKB to FNA TOPS codes replicated where appropriate. The bauxite-liveried six-axle wagons are equipped with vacuum brake gear, while the rebuilt versions are air-braked. The removable atomic flasks also feature appropriate markings, while the sun shades are adorned with running numbers to match each wagon, as was the practice in real life. Spanning the 1960s-1990s eras, these wagons operated behind…

Rails of Sheffield has commissioned the return of Dapol’s ‘OO’ LBSCR ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T, with seven new versions catering for the LBSCR, Isle of Wight, K&ESR, Southern and BR eras. Due this autumn, the tooling has been upgraded with new cabs, etched coal rails and better access to the Next18 DCC socket, along with the superior speakers and a ‘stay alive’ circuit. All versions will be available DCC-ready or DCC sound-fitted. Also set to return this year is the LMS prototype diesel-electric 10000, produced for Rails by Bachmann Branchline. Boasting an improved level of finish compared to previous releases, the iconic Co-Co is offered in original black livery with chrome LMS lettering and is available in DCC-ready or DCC sound-fitted format. Delivery is slated for Q2 of 2026. The ‘Terriers’ and…

One of Irish Railway Models’ earliest RTR offerings in 4mm scale was the CIÉ cement tank wagon, and a welcome new production run has recently been delivered. Introduced in the mid-1960s, 150 of these twin-axle wagons were built by CIÉ, affectionately known as ‘Bubbles’, with the fleet continuing in operation until 2009. IRM’s new raft of models is available in 1970s orange and the later ivory livery, with multiple triple-packs produced to allow trains of individually numbered wagons to be assembled. Price: £109.95 per triple-pack Availability: IRM/Accurascale stockists Web: Accurascale.com…

Having garnered enough expressions of interest to advance its Gresley BG and Modified Buffet projects, Dapol is seeking a similar level of interest in the LMS Period III 57ft non-lavatory suburban coaching stock. The proposed range of ‘N’ gauge models would consist of four different vehicle types – Dia. 1906/1906A Third, Dia. 1921/1921A Composite, Dia. 1907 Brake Third and, for those wanting to portray push-pull sets, a Dia. 1856 Driving Brake Third. Built between 1933 and 1950, examples of these carriages lasted in BR passenger use until 1967. Four liveries are planned, across LMS and BR eras, and while CAD work has been completed, the project will only move forward if enough expressions of interest are received, with a decision expected by Dapol in February. Price: £39.95 each Web: www.dapol.co.uk…

3D-printing specialists Modelu has released a host of new footplate crew packs, designed specifically to fit within particular model steam locomotives. Timed to coincide with some of the most recent ‘OO’ releases from Rapido and Bachmann, each pack provides a pair of workers in appropriate – and characterful – poses. In most cases, a driver and fireman are supplied, but for the forthcoming Rapido fireless 0-4-0T, the driver is accompanied by a shunter brandishing a coupling pole. Certain models also feature a choice of multiple packs to suit different eras. Notably, the crew of the ‘Port of Par’ Bagnall 0-4-0STs – reviewed in last month’s issue – feature suitably stooped poses! Although designed initially for ‘OO’, all figures are also available in other scales. Products: 11286/7 Rapido ‘E1’ crews 11288/11299…

Hot on the heels of Hornby’s gorgeous ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T (see MR347) and matching four-wheel coaches, Peco has released a new set of laser-cut building kits in ‘TT:120’, depicting structures at Ventnor West on the Isle of Wight Railway (IoWR). The station building kit has been cleverly designed to be assembled either as the substantial Ventnor West structure or as two smaller self-contained buildings to populate a pair of platforms. The architectural styling, although a close rendition of the prototype, can easily be transplanted to other geographic areas. Other kits depict Ventnor West’s timber signal box and goods shed, which can also be tailored to suit other regions if desired. Like Peco’s existing ‘TT:120’ GWR structures and generic platform kits, the IoWR kits consist primarily of laser-cut wood components and include…

Saturday 17 January BLACKBURN. East Lancashire Model Railway Exhibition, St Marks Conservative Club, Preston Old Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 2SS. Times: Sat 11.00-17.00, Sun 10.00-15.00. Admission: Adult £5, Children/OAP £3, Families £12. Saturday January 24 LANGTOFT. In aid of The Jamies Quest – Teenage Cancer Charity Event supported by Market Deeping MRC, Sleaford MRC, March and District MRC and the NG34 Model Railway Society. St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, East End, Langtoft, PE6 9LP. Times: 10.0016.00. Admission: Adults £5, Accompanied under-16s Free. Email: Webman@MDMRC.Org Facebook: www.facebook.com/p/Jamies-Quest-for-lifesaving-cancer-treatment-61565582260764 IRVINE. Kilmarnock and District Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026, Scottish Maritime Museum, Linthouse Building, Harbour Rd, Irvine, KA12 8BT. Times: Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 10.0016.00. Admission: Adults £7, Concessions £5, Accompanied under-16s Free. Web: www.kilmarnockmrc.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/KDMRC71 KENDAL. Kendal Model Railway Club Annual Exhibition 2026,…

Keep up to date with Model Rail News online. Much-requested by modellers, the Wabtec/GBRf Class 73/9 bi-mode locomotives are to be produced by Accurascale. Originally mooted as an exclusive retailer commission about six years ago, the project will now continue under Accurascale’s own brand, providing the ideal traction for the manufacturer’s Mk 5 Caledonian Sleeper coaches. Thirteen of the 1960s-era electro-diesel Class 73s were re-engineered by Wabtec at Loughborough under the direction of GBRf’s Bob Tiller, involving bodywork modifications, along with fully renewed electrical and cooling systems. Accurascale’s tooling focuses on the 11 locos re-engineered with MTU 8V4000R43L power units and reflects a number of important variations between Phase 1 and Phase 2 rebuilds, including lighting, cab windows, roof gear, snowploughs, third-rail fittings, and bodyside vents. Eight versions have been…

Chris Leigh writes: It was with much sadness that I learned of the passing of Mike Romans, following a short illness, on December 12. Mike was one of the last dyed-in-the-wool railway managers, a lifelong railwayman who had begun his career in the booking office at Slough. Progressing to management, he worked in the freight yards of South Wales, and later in Paris and Brussels as Operations Planning Manager at Eurostar. A GWR man through and through, Mike was hugely knowledgeable about all aspects of the Western Region and its predecessor. His wisdom and willingness to offer his thoughts on a wide range of railway and model railway topics – including the fortunes, or not, of hobby shops and Hornby – will be very much missed.…

First released in 2022, the BR ‘Pilchard’ bogie ballast wagon has enjoyed another production run, courtesy of Oxford Rail. A total of nine new versions are on offer, featuring pristine BR black livery, along with an impressive variety of weathered and patch-painted examples (which is how most of them appeared in service). There are even a couple with a ‘bare timber’ finish to the planked side doors, representing freshly repaired examples, plus one with ‘condemned’ markings, making it perfect for posing in a siding awaiting its fate. Price: £24.95 each Availability: Oxford Rail stockists Web: www.oxforddie-cast.co.uk…

DR3D Models has released two new 3D-printed kits of dumb-buffered five-plank private owner open wagons, based on vehicles designed by the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company in the 1880s. The kits cover either raised or rounded end wagons and consist of a single-piece body, with wooden or iron brake shoes, different axleguard patterns, plus separate axlebox and spring assemblies. The chassis can be built in rigid or compensated form, to ‘OO’, ‘P4’ or ‘EM’ standards. Also available is a set of 3D-printed alternative raised round ends for Hornby’s three-plank wagons, plus packs of Gloucester RC&W axlebox and spring units. Price: £15.00 each Web: www.dr3d.uk…

TABLETOP TRIALS Adoption of ‘TT:120’ seems to be gathering momentum, thanks to more RTR models and kits coming on stream, and Market Deeping MRC set out to create a display layout in this scale. This new book charts its design and development, based on the Devon Riviera, plus a back-up project based in Co. Durham. There’s plenty of information for anyone drawn to ‘TT’, with demonstrations of various techniques, and the adoption of 3D-printing is interesting. There’s also an insightful look into DCC and layout lighting. An enjoyable read. (GD) Book: Developing a Model Railway in TT:120 Scale by David Ashwood Price: £25.00 Availability: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk WHAT’S LEFT BEHIND More than 5,000 miles of track and 2,300 stations vanished across the UK in the 1960s – but not without trace. Two hundred…

Based on Glyn Ceiriog, on the Glyn Valley Tramway, Dapol’s new laser-cut kit provides a useful brick-built structure for 4mm scale narrow gauge – or standard gauge – layouts. Designed and manufactured at Dapol’s Chirk HQ, the parts are rendered in various thicknesses of card and fibreboard, with details such as gutters and downpipes being 3D-printed. A matching engine shed kit is now also available, and hopefully we’ll see more similar kits appearing in future. Product: Dapol 4B-000-001 Narrow gauge station building kit Price: £34.99 Availability: Dapol stockists Web: www.dapol.co.uk…

One of the latest ‘O’ gauge locomotives to roll off Dave Lowery’s production line is this handsome BR Class 60, depicting 60007 in the popular Load Haul livery. It’s not a Heljan RTR model, but a hand-built masterpiece, based on a David Parkins brass kit. As well as an impressive level of exterior detail, the interior is well-appointed, with the cooler group gubbins visible behind the etched grilles, while the cabs are also fully kitted out. Dave has added interior lighting to show off all the goodies, including a set of illuminated dials on the driver’s consoles! A full DCC sound package is on board, too.…

What you will need SHOPPING LIST Parkside by Peco plastic van kits (various) Price: from £13.00 Availability: Peco stockists Web: www.peco-uk.com Tools Knife and spare blades Cutting mat Tweezers Paintbrushes Cotton swabs Every so often, something takes my modelling fancy. And off I go, down an unplanned route, driven by spare resources in my studio and prototype research, plus memories of being on site somewhere. This happened recently and, as a result, I soon ended up with a bunch of individual models of old van bodies, grounded and awaiting reclamation or restoration, or in regular use as static storage huts. You can have a lot of fun with these items, once you gather a few simple materials around your workbench, figure out a simple modelling sequence and take things easy.…

There was a time when we, the Model Rail editorial team, used to scan Chris Nevard’s layout pictures for the seemingly obligatory ‘bus on a bridge picture.’ It wasn’t that Chris staged such pictures deliberately. It was simply a common ‘device’, often used to make a bridge, used as a scenic break, less obvious. I recall, as a teenage modeller, being annoyed that the Dinky Toys double-decker bus, one of the few Dinkies that was approximately to 4mm:1ft scale, did not represent the London Transport double-deckers. However, when I started to model real locations, I chose Much Wenlock in the West Midlands and for that I would need a particular type of bus. My brother and I went there by train (to Wellington) and bus, changing at the evocatively named…

Soon after the first batch of Revolution Trains’ Class 66s landed (see review on page 90), Locomotion Models and Rails of Sheffield announced the launch of a special ‘Shed’ duo. Produced exclusively for the Railway Icons range, the fresh ‘66s’ depict GB Railfreight’s special red Railway200 anniversary liveried No. 66710 Karen Harrison and 66719 Michael Portillo. They also feature the crests of the ‘Big Four’ railway companies under each cab window. Both models will feature prototype-specific detail to correctly represent the real locomotives, and they’re available to pre-order now from Locomotion Models or Rails of Sheffield. When’s it due? Late 2026 Prices (each): £159.99 (DCC-ready), £254.95 (DCC sound) Web: www.locomotionmodels.com www.railsofsheffield.com…

The emerging ‘TT:120’ scale received a real boost with the arrival of Hornby’s new BR Class 37 diesel locomotives, with three versions received by stockists in December. EWS-liveried ‘Heavyweight’ Class 37/7 37704 was the first to turn up at MR HQ – see the review on page 92. Joining the Type 3 fleet is pioneer D6700 in plain BR green, plus 37408 Loch Rannoch in ‘Large Logo’ Rail blue. All three models include different bodyshell detail, notably split, centre and flush headcodes, along with pre- and post-refurbishment appointments. A Next18 interface is installed and sound-fitted options are available. Appropriately, the Scottish Region’s 37408 is supplied with a set of optional miniature three-piece snowploughs, along with etched nameplates. Products: ● TT3036M Class 37 D6700 ● TT3035M Class 37/4 37408 Loch Rannoch…

A range of new 3D-printed body kits is now available from Miniature Modellers Hub, designed to fit Bachmann’s RTR ‘OO9’ gauge Sir Handel 0-4-0T chassis (from the Thomas and Friends range). Portraying Corris and Talyllyn prototypes, these items are the latest additions to an existing range of narrow gauge locomotive and rolling stock kits, covering ‘OO9’, ‘NG7’ and 5.5mm gauge. Products: TM-CR010 Corris Railway No. 10 009 TM-CR102 Corris Railway Falcon Hughes (Late) TM-TR103 Talyllyn Railway Sir Haydn body kits Prices: £29.99 each Web: www.teamimmersion.com/shop…

KEEP IT DRY The art of dry-brushing, whereby just a faint trace of paint is left on a brush’s bristles, allowing it to be deposited onto a surface to highlight texture and detail, is a simple and effective process. Much depends on the brush, however, so this new range from AK Interactive makes the job easier. Available in four different sizes, ranging from small to extra-large, the rounded profile of the soft, synthetic bristles is optimum for the task, while also proving resilient to aggressive stippling action – something that often ruins ordinary paintbrushes. Easy to clean and comfortable to use, a nice extra touch is the satin finish of the handle, which affords better grip for the fingers. Product: AK Interactive AKB023 Dry Brush S Price: £3.95 Availability: Scale…

Modeltex manufactures digitally produced photographic prints on 5mm thick foamboard, with the latest addition to the range featuring stacked shipping containers. Much easier than stacking and/or cutting plastic containers to form a backdrop, these printed sheets come with a satin finish and, due to the nature of the foamboard, they’re easy to cut to the desired size, and to add surface texture with a knife or other tools. Perfect for a dockside, warehouse or inter-modal yard scene, the ends of the containers feature a suitably weathered and faded appearance, with a range of colours and markings on show. Two different sheets are available, so there’s plenty of variety. Free postage to the UK is possible – see the website for the latest information. Product: Modeltex 1:87 Container Wall, A3 sheet…

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“Rapido, and its charismatic founder Jason Shron, breathed new life into the British market” Tribes… and diatribes Model railways are booming. At the turn of the century the market was dominated by the big two names – Hornby and Bachmann. The remainder comprised smaller British manufacturers such as Dapol and Graham Farish, and a handful of continental manufacturers, including Heljan and Vi-Trains, who dabbled with the occasional locomotive or piece of rolling stock. Then, in 2013, everything changed. A little-known Canadian company named Rapido Trains decided to enter the British ‘OO’ market with an all-new model of the APT-E, the 1970s-era prototype gas turbine-powered tilting train. It caused a sensation, especially as, at the time, conventional wisdom dictated that such a train was far too niche to be the subject…